The Local & Independent News Association (LINA) welcomes the Albanese Government’s investment in the news industry through the News Media Assistance Program (News MAP) announced today.
The commitment of $153.5 million over four years to implement the News MAP follows a long period of industry consultation, including extensive discussion with LINA.
“We are pleased to see the Government responding to feedback provided by the industry body and its member publishers to help address challenges to the sector and enable capacity building for an industry in transition,” said LINA’s Executive Director Claire Stuchbery.
“The News Media Relief Program provides much-needed, urgent funds to eligible news businesses in the very short term and the News MAP will transform the industry in the years ahead.”
Supporting public interest journalism and local news strengthens communities. LINA looks forward to the public benefit the investment in local news will bring through the provision of accurate, timely and relevant news services that respond to audience needs.
“Small and independent news publishers are a vital part of community infrastructure,” Stuchbery said.
“While we have seen localised glimmers of hope in the transition to the delivery of news online, challenges to business models have made it really hard to make local newsrooms viable. This funding provides a little water to those greenshoots in the news industry, allowing space and support to build new models of news delivery that best serve our communities.”
“We look forward to seeing the detail of the News MAP policy framework and to working with government to attract philanthropic support to the news industry, which has successfully fostered strong local news sectors in other parts of the world,” said Stuchbery.
“This funding announcement is very much a hand-up rather than a hand out and LINA member publishers are ready to step up alongside our colleagues at the Australian Associated Press and in the community and First Nations broadcasting sectors. We are pleased to see this funding provided across the grassroots media industry, which will grow media diversity and the range of perspectives represented in public dialogue in this country.”
“We commend the Albanese Government on taking action to support independent media through the measure in this announcement,” said LINA’s Chair Jon Bisset.
“We are particularly satisfied to see government focus on local news and building sustainability for news providers.”
LINA represents 135 newsrooms producing public interest journalism to local regions and in underrepresented communities, a key focus of today’s announcement. Local and independent newsrooms are well placed to support media literacy education, while building on the public interest journalism services that combat mis and disinformation at a local level.
About LINA:
The Local & Independent News Association is an industry association supporting digital news services to deliver public interest journalism in the communities they are embedded within. The not-for-profit organisation provides capacity building and networked support to 135 newsrooms, providing hands-on, practical action to existing and emerging news businesses.
For a full list of members, details of membership requirements and to view policy submissions, visit lina.org.au.
Media contacts:
Claire Stuchbery
E: claire.stuchbery@lina.org.au
M: 0403 520 765
Nell O’Shea Carré
E: nell.oshea.carre@lina.org.au
M: 0468 774 682